2016

 As Tennessee schools are starting back to school, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) wanted to make drivers aware of the rules and penalties for improperly passing a school bus.  Tennessee Law 55-8-151 addresses the overtaking and passing school busses while unloading/loading passengers and the penalties.
The Tennessee law states: The driver of a vehicle upon a highway, upon meeting or overtaking from either direction any school bus that has stopped on the highway for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school children, shall stop the vehicle before reaching the school bus, and the driver shall not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or is signaled by the school bus driver to proceed or the visual signals are no longer actuated. Subsection (a) shall also apply to a school bus with lights flashing and stop sign extended and marked in accordance with this subsection (a) that is stopped upon property owned, operated, or used by a school or educational institution, if the bus is stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school children outside a protected loading zone.
All motor vehicles used in transporting school children to and from school in this state are required to be distinctly marked “School Bus” on the front and rear thereof in letters of not less than six inches (6”) in height, and so plainly written or printed and so arranged as to be legible to persons approaching the school bus, whether traveling in the same or opposite direction.
The driver of a vehicle upon a highway with separate roadways need not stop upon meeting or passing a school bus that is on a different roadway or when upon a controlled-access highway and the school bus is stopped in a loading zone that is a part of or adjacent to the highway and where pedestrians are not permitted to cross the roadway.  For the purpose of this subsection (a), “separate roadways” means roadways divided by an intervening space that is not suitable to vehicular traffic.
Except as otherwise provided by subdivisions (a) (1)-(3), the school bus driver is required to stop the school bus on the right-hand side of the road or highway, and the driver shall cause the bus to remain stationary and the visual stop signs on the bus actuated, until all school children who should be discharged from the bus have been so discharged and until all children whose destination causes them to cross the road or highway at that place have negotiated the crossing.
It is a Class C misdemeanor for any person to fail to comply with any provision of this subsection (a) other than the requirement that a motor vehicle stop upon approaching a school bus.
It is a Class A misdemeanor punishable only by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for any person to fail to comply with the provision of this subsection (a) requiring a motor vehicle to stop upon approaching a school bus.
Be alert and allow our children to arrive to and from school safely without harm.

The Tennessee Department of Education announced Monday the launch of applications for its new Individualized Education Account (IEA) Program that provides the opportunity for parents of eligible students with disabilities to access public education funds to choose the education opportunities that best meet their child’s own unique needs.
“The Tennessee Department of Education strives to ensure that every Tennessee student has access to the tools they need to maximize learning,” Education Commissioner Candice McQueen said. “We believe this program is a unique opportunity to empower families to make decisions for their individual children as we continue our commitment to supporting all students as one of our five transformative priorities under Tennessee Succeeds.”
The department is now accepting applications online for the program, which was sponsored by Senator Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville, and Representative Debra Moody, R-Covington, and adopted by the General Assembly in 2015.
“It is important that we ensure our most vulnerable children have access to a quality education that meets their unique needs,” Senator Gresham said.
The new program provides parents of eligible students in grades K-12 the ability to choose a variety of approved educational services that best fit the needs of their child. By participating in the IEA Program, parents agree to take full legal responsibility for the education of their child and waive all of their child’s rights to a public education, as well as services under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Once a parent or guardian has been approved for participation in the program, a state funded individualized education account will be created for the eligible student. Funds from each student’s IEA can be used for a variety of approved educational expenses, including private school tuition at schools approved to participate in the program, private tutoring and, educational therapies, and more. Parents can find a complete list of additional approved educational expenses, as well as criteria for entrance to the program, on the IEA webpage.
Because this program utilizes public education funds already assigned to each student, there is no cap on the number of eligible students who can participate. The funding that will be disbursed into the student’s IEA is equal to per pupil state and local funds for the district where the student resides and is zoned to attend school. This amount does not include federal funds or additional education funds that local governments contribute to the school district. The average amount of the IEA annual payment is approximately $6,300, but will vary per district.
Parents can now visit the online portal to submit an application for their child. This statewide program will go into effect in January 2017, with parents getting access to the first accounts for use on Jan. 1, 2017.
To get more information about the IEA Program, including parent resources and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the IEA webpage on the department’s website.
For more information, contact Sara Gast at (615) 532-6260 or Sara.Gast@tn.gov.

The Cannon County Republican Party will meet on Monday August 1, 2016 at 6:00 PM at the Cannon County Courthouse. The public is invited and encouraged to attend

Camp Read to be Ready provides students with a total reading experience where books take life in relation to our community. Students are given the opportunity to read, think, talk, and write about various texts in relation to our focus of learning. The second session of Camp Read to be Ready allows students to experience Camp Reading River. Twenty five students have spent their fourth and final week of camp as freshwater explorers. Students are learning about and discussing animals, insects, and plants in freshwater habitats. We have dug deep into the following books: One Small Square: Pond written by Donald Silver, Float written by Daniel Miyares, Gruffalo written by Julia Donaldson, A Freshwater Pond written by Adam Hibbert, and Memoirs of a Goldfish written by Devin Scillian.
The ultimate goal for Camp Read to be Ready is to make books come to life for our students. Co-directors Melisha Simmons and MaryBeth Young as well as Troop Leaders Kathy Gannon, Emily Hughes, Beth Mathis and Joy Pope are working toward this goal by creating movements, songs, and art that relate to our books. Troop leaders have created experiences where campers experimented with other objects that sink and float. Campers have created their own boats and examined the properties required for an object to float. Campers also compared water from a mud puddle, a bird bath, a freshwater pond, and the Stones River. Campers examined these waters using magnifying glasses and microscopes comparing clarity, plant life, insects, and organisms.
During our final week of Camp Read to be Ready, Bonnie Irvin from Project Wet led our campers on a trip to The Stones River. Campers entered the river behind the Arts Center of Cannon County. Ms. Bonnie supplied our campers with magnifying glasses, nets, and collection trays. Campers were able to see three different species of crayfish along with numerous fish and plants. Campers were able to see how The Stones River supports the water supply for Cannon County. This was an excellent firsthand experience with resources in Cannon County for campers to see the importance of taking care of our water for plants, animals, and even our own water supply.
To culminate the Camp Reading River experience, campers traveled to Huff & Puff Trucking in Bradyville, TN. Campers began their visit by finally meeting Mike and Dianna Watson, the Huff & Puff drivers who opened their truck up to Flat Stanley so that he could travel their delivery routes.   Campers were so excited to finally meet these local celebrities along with Flat Stanley! Every day campers were able to video conference with Flat Stanley and his drivers using Skype. We have tracked Flat Stanley’s adventures across North America. Campers were given the opportunity to explore the actual Huff & Puff truck that transported Flat Stanley and tour the Dispatch area. Campers were able to ask questions about the trucking company, how it began, and how it runs on a daily basis. The Safari Bus visited campers for story time and an activity. Huff & Puff Trucking provided lunch for our campers as well as souvenirs from Flat Stanley’s travels. Campers were also able to explore a freshwater pond on the property.
As summer comes to an end and we all begin a new school year, there are some things you can do at home to help your child. The single most important thing you can do to help your child succeed is to read with them for twenty minutes each day! When school starts our schedules can become more hectic, this twenty minutes is very important to you and your child! Remember, the conversations you have with children about what they have read or heard are essential to their comprehension. There are some important things we can learn right here in Cannon County. Take time with your child to explore wetlands near your home!
 

More than 8,500 Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) members, advisers, alumni, and guests from across the country gathered in San Diego, California for the 2016 National Leadership Conference.  The meeting provided Cannon County High School FCCLA members with the opportunity to attend leadership and program training, hear national speakers, meet the National Executive Council, explore colleges and careers, and impact a city with FCCLA power.  Taylor DeArmond, Hannah Haley, and Carrie Smith were among the members and took part in STAR Event competitions and Leadership Training at the conference.
 
FCCLA’s STAR Events are based on the belief that every student is a winner. Competition, evaluation, and recognition all stress cooperation as the basis of success. Both youth and adults work together to manage the events and serve as evaluators of the participants. Throughout the year, FCCLA members tackle issues such as teen violence prevention, traffic safety, family issues, career exploration, and much more. FCCLA programs and competitions enrich student learning, improve self-esteem, and serve students with a range of ability levels, economic situations, and cultural influences.
 
FCCLA offers over 30 STAR [Students Taking Action with Recognition] Events. These events represent college and career readiness skills taught in Family and Consumer Sciences classroom. Members compete at the District, State and National level. This year, we were among over 4,500 STAR Event participants who competed in San Diego, CA.  Taylor and Hannah competed in the Chapter Service Project. This year Cannon County FCCLA volunteered their time at Special Olympics Events. Members became peer buddies and volunteers to support our athletes in these events. Taylor and Hannah received a Gold Medal in the event.
 
Taylor, Hannah, and Carrie participated in the FCCLA Leadership Academy. The Engage Academy develops leadership, employability, and 21st Century skills and gives members the opportunity to be recognized for their personal growth efforts. Through the program, members are given the opportunity to explore and practice essentials for the roles of family member, wage earner and community leader. The Engage Academy strengthens leadership skills used to unify people through communication, collaboration, and conflict management
 
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education.  FCCLA has more than 160,000 members and more than 5,400 chapters from 48 state associations, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
 
FCCLA: The Ultimate Leadership Experience is unique among youth organizations because its programs are planned and run by members, and it’s the only career and technical in-school student organization with careers that support families as it’s central focus.  Participation in national programs and chapter activities helps members become strong leaders in families, careers, and communities.
 
Cannon County FCCLA would like to say thank you to all that made this trip possible: Cannon County Board of Education, Director of Schools Barbara Parker, CCHS Principal Mike Jones, CTE Director Courtney Nichols, Bookkeeper Joyce Taylor, Town of Woodbury, Hardee’s, United Steel Workers Local 1155L, Huff and Puff Trucking, Woodson’s Pharmacy, Michael and Aletha Thomas, Sherry Patterson, Don and Jeanette Barrett, and everyone that donated to our roadblock or helped us with our fundraisers. We could not have done it without you!
 
For more information on FCCLA, please contact Connie Lorance at 615-563-2144 or connie.lorance@ccstn.net.

August 1—Special-called board meeting to vote on budget, 6:30 p.m., Central Office Boardroom
 
August 2—District-wide Teacher in-service—Arts Center, 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
 
August 3—Teacher in-service at various schools, 7:30 a.m. -3:00 p.m.
 
August 4—Teacher in-service at various schools, 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
 
August 5—Student’s first day of school (Half day)
 
 
Cannon County School System is currently looking for applicants for the following positions:
 
CCHS Credit Recovery teacher
CCHS Spanish teacher
CCHS Special Ed. Assistant
CCHS Receptionist
CCHS School Counselor
WGS Kindergarten teacher
Woodland Custodian
Elementary School Counselor
West Side Receptionist
School Bus Aide
Woodland Title I teacher assistant
Woodland Elementary teacher
East Side Elementary teacher

With the seasonal closing of schools, county unemployment rates for June 2016, released last week, show the rates increased in all 95 Tennessee counties.  Cannon County’s unemployment figures showed the rate increased 1.3% from May’s 3.7 percent figure to June’s 5 percent figure.  Out of an estimated workforce of 6180 people 5870 were employed while 310 Cannon Countians were unemployed.  Dekalb County showed the biggest unemployment figure of all surrounding counties at 6.1 percent, while Warren County came in at 5.3 percent.  Unemployment figures for Coffee County was 4.9 percent and Rutherford and Wilson Counties both showed a 4.1 percent unemployment rate.  Cannon Counties rate for the month of June last year was at 6.4 percent.
Tennessee’s preliminary unemployment rate for June was 4.1 percent, remaining the same from the previous month’s revised rate. The U.S. preliminary rate for June was 4.9 percent, up two tenths of a percentage point from May.

594 registered Cannon County voters took part in Early Voting for the August 4th election.  Early voting was held at the Cannon County Election office July 15th-30th.  During the duration of early voting the average number of voters voting was around 30, however the final two days were the busiest days of the voting period.  Friday 71 voters turned up to vote while on Saturday was definitely the biggest day of early voting in Cannon County as 110 registered voters cast their ballots.  Election day is Thursday August 4th.
 

U.S. Senator Bob Corker will be making a 31 county tour across Tennessee during the month of August and one of his stops will be in Cannon County.
Corker will travel across the Volunteer State to hear from Tennesseans and share his perspective on how to address some of the major challenges facing our nation.
“One of the most enjoyable and valuable parts of my job is spending time with the people who have given me the great privilege of serving them in the United States Senate,” said Corker. “I am excited to travel across our state over the next four weeks and look forward to hearing from Tennesseans about the issues they care about most.”In 2012, Tennesseans overwhelmingly re-elected Bob Corker to his second term in the U.S. Senate, where he serves as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and is an active member of the Banking Committee and the Budget Committee. Corker was Tennessee’s commissioner of finance and mayor of Chattanooga, but he spent most of his life in business. It’s that results-driven businessman’s perspective that allowed him to make a mark early in the Senate, where he is considered a pragmatic thought leader on the issues Tennesseans care about most.
You are invited to come meet Senator Bob Corker on Thursday August 18th at the Cannon County Senior Center starting at 2:00
 

Twenty-four people died in traffic crashes this year as compared to 13 lives lost last year in Rutherford County.
To stop the deaths, law enforcement officers are teaming up through enforcement and education during the “Summertime Blues” program.
Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office is sponsoring a Safety Fair to emphasize safe driving, said Patrol Capt. Steve Spence.
 “Our No. 1 goal is to educate,” Capt. Spence said. “We are trying to cut down on the fatality rate and traffic crashes.”
The free safety fair will be from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6 at the Sheriff’s Office at 940 New Salem Highway in Murfreesboro.
Events include:
Certified child safety passenger seat technicians will check children’s car seats for proper installation.
Deputies will allow visitors try the Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office Seat Belt Convincer that demonstrates the impact of a crash with slow speeds.
School Resource Officers will allow teens and adults to use the driving simulators that show the dangers of texting and driving.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving will have a booth with information.
The Tennessee Highway Safety Office employees will distribute safety materials.
“We will teach you something you may not be aware of that you can take back to a family member or loved one,” Capt. Spence said.